THE BIOLOGICAL STRESS-RESPONSE AND LIFE-STYLE - CATECHOLAMINES AND BLOOD-PRESSURE

Many measures in human biology that are studied as immutable traits ar e actually fluctuating physiological functions that adjust body system s to rapid changes in the environment. This overview discusses what ha s been learned about the response to the stressors inherent in continu ously changing microenvironments in modern Western societies of two re lated physiological functions: the release of catecholamines and blood pressure. The review shows that many factors that are part of or infl uence lifestyle-including perception and cognitive state, the nature o f the social situation, foods, stimulants and exercise-and external co nditions such as temperature, continuously alter catecholamine levels and blood pressure. Because lifestyle stress may be an important selec tive force in human populations, studies of dynamic functions that rea ct to it, such as catecholamine release and blood pressure, may be imp ortant in understanding the ongoing dynamics of human evolution.